GOVT STOPS DEMOLITIONS, BUILDING AT MANGWANENI

MBABANE – “Stop Mangwaneni demolitions and construction.”

This was an order issued by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to the Municipal Council of Mbabane and residents of the area following demolitions of three houses last Friday that resulted in some casualties.

A skirmish that lasted over three hours between police and angry Mangwaneni residents saw one of the residents being shot with a rubber bullet in the head, allegedly by the police. The injured resident, Sanele Sukati, is currently admitted to the Mbabane Government Hospital.

Patiently

Speaking during a press conference in his office, Principal Secretary in the ministry Clifford Mamba, who was representing Minister Prince Simelane, appealed to all concerned parties, including council and the residents, to patiently wait for the matter to be concluded by the traditional structures where it was currently being deliberated.

The minister said while it was true that the gazetted boundaries of Mbabane city dictated that Mangwaneni was within the perimeters of the city, they were awaiting further guidance from the traditional authorities. 

Meanwhile, Mbabane Mayor Sikhumbuzo Dube said council would stop the demolitions of the illegal structures pending finalisation of the matter within the traditional structures and provision of a long-term solution. 

Dube said they welcomed the minister’s advice that all residents of Mangwaneni were also expected to desist from constructing structures during this period.  

Further, he noted council’s commitment to government’s development plans for Mangwaneni and guiding legislation based on a long-term plan for the area that held historical significance for the city of Mbabane.  Mangwaneni overseer Mlungisi Dlamini said they commended the ministry for stopping the demolitions.  Dlamini said all concerned parties should respect the fact that the issue was now with traditional structures. 

“After council served the residents with demolition orders, I pleaded with them not to demolish the structures and they promised me that they will not,” Dlamini said.

He wondered what will happen to those residents whose houses were demolished by council and also those who were injured during the protests.

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